Joan Christine (Kurtz) Schneider October 28, 1938 – July 13, 2025

Joan Christine (Kurtz) Schneider, of Colfax, WI, formerly of Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was born on October 28, 1938, in Chicago, IL, to Margaret (Paul) and Victor Kurtz. After the passing of her father, Joan and her mother moved to Chippewa Falls in 1948.

Joan graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1956 and married the love of her life, Donald Schneider, on August 3, 1957. She worked as a proofreader at the Chippewa Herald Telegram and at Grothe Electric for her stepdad, Ernie Grothe.

Together, Joan and Donnie raised four wonderful children: Tim, John, Christie, and Pam. For over 30 years, they ran Don's Leather Haven, traveling to arts and craft fairs across the region. Joan cherished the friendships she made through these events and loved connecting with people.

After Don's passing, Joan moved to Colfax in 2003, where she continued to enjoy life surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She volunteered for nine years in the Colfax Elementary School art room, sharing her creativity and warmth with young students.

Joan loved spending time with her family, traveling, playing scrabble, reading, shopping, and working on jigsaw puzzles. Her kindness, humor, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her children: Timothy (Sue) Schneider of Chippewa Falls, Christie Schmock of Colfax, and Pam (Don) Knutson of Colfax; grandchildren: Michael Schneider, Heather Schneider, Yeoj Lagapa, Sara (Steven) Longdo, Scot Schmock, and Rachel Knutson; great-grandchildren: Dakota and Damien Mier, Delanie, Nolan, and Emery Schneider, Winston and William Longdo.

Joan is also survived by her sisters Joanne O'Brien and Sue (Mike) Berry; brother Ken (Karen) Grothe; sister-in-law Cynthia Grothe and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends, including Renee Briggs and Thelma Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her husband Don, son John, son-in-law Willie Schmock, her parents, special stepdad Ernie Grothe, brothers Dale and Ronald Grothe, brothersin-law Sheldon Schneider, Jerry O'Brien and Dave Pressler, and sisters-in-law Dorothy Schneider and Shirley Pressler.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dove Healthcare in Bloomer and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion they provided to our mom. Your kindness, professionalism, and support meant so much to our family during this time.

We are deeply grateful for the comfort and dignity you gave her. We also would like to thank Bonnie Nierenhausen for helping us get mom to Dove on Friday.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Holden Lutheran Church (N10065 County Road M) in Colfax WI.  Visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18th at Sampson Funeral Home in Colfax, and again on Saturday at the Church from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.